It’s that time of year again… pumpkins are everywhere. Today I popped into my local grocery store and saw a large display of pumpkin scones, pumpkin cookies and mini pumpkin pies. Just looking at these mouth-watering items made me feel like the holiday weight was already starting to form on my hips. But don’t blame pumpkins! Pumpkins are dense with nutrients while offering little in

I have talked about my obsession with thrifting before and some of my amazing finds. Even now that I have really slowed down my shopping habits, I still find thrifting is one of my favorite activities. Last week, I kid you not, I was breezing through a resale shop and caught a glimpse of soft comfy boots on the bottom shelf. I had to reach down to

This year my daughter informed me that she wanted to decorate her school locker – complete with a chandelier. I guess that is a thing now. She didn’t want to get too DIY – she’d rather buy than make. A little research showed that locker decorations at Claire’s Accessories run from $10.50 for 4 plastic magnets (seriously?) to magnetic wallpaper for $34.50 (I think not).

I know what you’re thinking! There’s LOADS of time between now and Christmas, right? But remember how quickly those weeks went by last year? 2016 will speed by just as fast! Before you get caught up in the spending and celebrating frenzy, take some time to set the stage for a stress-free holiday season. Here are 8 steps you can take now to prevent stress

Lately my mindset has been shifting from focusing a LOT on shopping to more of a minimalist perspective. If you missed this conversation, please check out Part 1 of my journey here and Part 2 here! As I investigated minimalism, I asked myself, what problem am I trying to treat? For me it was a lack of space, a lack of clarity, and a lack of satisfaction.

I have a confession to make. I love looking at all the creative ideas that people post on Pinterest… but it’s rare that I actually attempt to copy these recipes or crafts – even when I fully intend to. I can look at these elaborate bento box inspired lunch ideas and know, without a doubt, that I will never make them. But that’s okay. I can

Maybe you’ve heard the old saying “buy cheap, buy twice” or perhaps this is a new concept for you. Frugality can be taken too far, like when it leads one down the path of pilfering ketchup packets or buying and then rebuying electronics that are prone to breaking down on a regular schedule. Shopping smart isn’t always about spending the least amount of money because sometimes you really

Many students in both public and private schools are required to wear school uniforms and now it’s your kid’s turn. You’ve bought your school supplies, you’ve bought your backpack, but where do you go for the best deals on uniforms? And how do you keep them looking good all year long? School uniforms: everything you need to know. PRO: You know exactly what your child is going to

In the past, I’ve posted about Dollar Tree deals, thrifted treasures and raising a family within a budget. We have built our home on these bargains and for the most part I am proud of that. However, there came a time when shopping was more than just a fun pastime for me. In my last post, I talked about how shopping became an addiction. In fact, spending,

I like to call Target “the store with the $50 cover charge.” You can walk in there intending to buy toilet paper and walk out with a new outfit, several new lipsticks, and a grill (it was on clearance!). Target’s team of marketing geniuses have figured out how to make us part with our money while at the same time making us feel like we’re

I’m addicted to shopping and I have been for years. My lifestyle may not look like Confessions of a Shopaholic, but the reality is that I have poured far too much time and money into a habit that hasn’t always been beneficial to my family, my home, or my heart. I realized this fact years ago, but choosing to make a change has been a

My little girl has wanted to be a mermaid since preschool. She is now 11 and this obsession has not waned. Judging by all the mermaid-themed tees and merchandise offered at The Children’s Place, Justice, Old Navy and other popular kids’ stores, she’s clearly not the only one. If you’ve got a mermaid wannabe in your family, dive in to our definitive mermaid list. From

July is National Blueberry Month. What better way to celebrate than with some fun, creative recipes that go beyond the standard blueberry muffins, blueberry pie, blueberry scones, etc. Whether you pick ’em yourself or buy them fresh or frozen, blueberries are the bomb. Not only are they delicious, but they are packed with antioxidants, fiber and Vitamin C. We’ve gone ahead and hand-picked some creative blueberry recipes

Ever since our girls switched from toddler beds, they have been in the Ikea Kura convertible beds, which we absolutely love. For awhile, they had two set up as lofts, and then we used one as a bunk bed for the two of them while my son got the second bed for himself. Now we are planning to sell one of our Kuras to purchase a

Our kids have never known a life without cell phones. It seems everyone has one, and kids are getting them at younger and younger ages. While being able to keep in touch with your kids is invaluable, there are drawbacks as well. Smartphones, their monthly fees and many accessories are expensive. And by giving your child a phone, you’re not just giving them a way to